Some studies claim that laptops are linked with increased student motivation, improved class attendance, and a "sustained level of academic achievement" (Belanger, 2000). However, negative aspects can also be raised, for example, that laptops prevent students from concentrating on their school work, and degrade learning (Borja, 2000). Not all students can afford laptops to buy a laptop for school, so their introduction has also raised the issue of equality and financial discrimination (Corcoran, 2002). Has contrasted differing researchers’ views, so is going beyond simple "description".
Laptops at schools have also an extended social impact on global equity, by helping to bridge the digital divide in third world countries (Lent, 2003). The donation of laptops to underprivileged schools around the world not only aids underprivileged students during school hours, but also allows students to bring their mobile computers home to their parents, slowly and comfortably exposing the wider disadvantaged community to the prospects of technology. Has taken this further by looking at a social issue, and then explained its importance.
Criterion C: The Impact of the Issue
The use of laptops at school has been claimed to "improve the speed, quality and depth of their work" (Beck, 2002) and to be responsible for a “significant increase on standardized tests” (Learning with Laptops, 2000). Education studies report that these improvements are due to an improved attitude towards learning, as laptops encourage a fun, hands-on approach to education (Belanger, 2002). Positives explained - impact is improved attitude towards learning.
Also, disabled or struggling students are benefited by the flexibility of owning and maintaining their own personal laptop. Students with particular areas of individual need can install their choice of programmes that will help them learn more in a school day. For example, a program called Co-Writer can help dyslexic student who are struggling with spelling (Ansary, 2002).Positives explained - impact is disabled or struggling students can learn more.
On the other hand, the added mobility and flexibility of laptops have allowed students to become more easily distracted from the focus of education (Borja, 2002). Misuse of technology at school, such as file swapping, pornography, and instant messaging have become more prevalent at schools with the introduction of student laptops. Negatives explained - students become distracted from learning.
Education has a great affect on a student’s future life, and job opportunities, so the affect of laptops on education quality is an issue of the upmost importance. Weighing up, the motivational benefits outweigh the prospect of added distractions, as such distractions are solvable by teachers enforcing policies at the school. Evaluation.
Lawrence Hardy claims laptops cause economic discrimination against students of lower socio-economical backgrounds, who would not be able to afford to buy their own laptop for school (Hardy, 1999); however, subsidised leasing programmes have made the financial burden to parents more affordable (Hardy, 1999). Resultantly students from all socioeconomic backgrounds will have similar opportunities to use technology both at school and home. Explanation and analysis - financial impact but countered by solution.
The issue of educational benefit is more important than the financial issue. While the negative issue of financial will lessen in the near future as government and public support grows, and technology costs decrease, the issue of education must be addressed immediately, before lifelong damage might be caused to a student’s education. Evaluation.
Criterion A: Presentation of the Issue
Some studies claim that laptops are linked with increased student motivation, improved class attendance, and a "sustained level of academic achievement" (Belanger, 2000). However, negative aspects can also be raised, for example, that laptops prevent students from concentrating on their school work, and degrade learning (Borja, 2000). Not all students can afford laptops to buy a laptop for school, so their introduction has also raised the issue of equality and financial discrimination (Corcoran, 2002). Has contrasted differing researchers’ views, so is going beyond simple "description".Laptops at schools have also an extended social impact on global equity, by helping to bridge the digital divide in third world countries (Lent, 2003). The donation of laptops to underprivileged schools around the world not only aids underprivileged students during school hours, but also allows students to bring their mobile computers home to their parents, slowly and comfortably exposing the wider disadvantaged community to the prospects of technology. Has taken this further by looking at a social issue, and then explained its importance.
Criterion C: The Impact of the Issue
The use of laptops at school has been claimed to "improve the speed, quality and depth of their work" (Beck, 2002) and to be responsible for a “significant increase on standardized tests” (Learning with Laptops, 2000). Education studies report that these improvements are due to an improved attitude towards learning, as laptops encourage a fun, hands-on approach to education (Belanger, 2002). Positives explained - impact is improved attitude towards learning.Also, disabled or struggling students are benefited by the flexibility of owning and maintaining their own personal laptop. Students with particular areas of individual need can install their choice of programmes that will help them learn more in a school day. For example, a program called Co-Writer can help dyslexic student who are struggling with spelling (Ansary, 2002). Positives explained - impact is disabled or struggling students can learn more.
On the other hand, the added mobility and flexibility of laptops have allowed students to become more easily distracted from the focus of education (Borja, 2002). Misuse of technology at school, such as file swapping, pornography, and instant messaging have become more prevalent at schools with the introduction of student laptops. Negatives explained - students become distracted from learning.
Education has a great affect on a student’s future life, and job opportunities, so the affect of laptops on education quality is an issue of the upmost importance. Weighing up, the motivational benefits outweigh the prospect of added distractions, as such distractions are solvable by teachers enforcing policies at the school. Evaluation.
Lawrence Hardy claims laptops cause economic discrimination against students of lower socio-economical backgrounds, who would not be able to afford to buy their own laptop for school (Hardy, 1999); however, subsidised leasing programmes have made the financial burden to parents more affordable (Hardy, 1999). Resultantly students from all socioeconomic backgrounds will have similar opportunities to use technology both at school and home. Explanation and analysis - financial impact but countered by solution.
The issue of educational benefit is more important than the financial issue. While the negative issue of financial will lessen in the near future as government and public support grows, and technology costs decrease, the issue of education must be addressed immediately, before lifelong damage might be caused to a student’s education. Evaluation.